General Facts about Marijuana: Marijuana refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa. The plant contains the mind-altering chemical delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other related compounds. Extracts can also be made from the cannabis plant.

Common Names: Weed, Herb, Pot, Grass, Bud, Ganja, Mary Jane

Marijuana is the most commonly used psychotropic drug in the United States, after alcohol.

Side Effects of Marijuana Use:

• altered senses (for example, seeing brighter colors)

• altered sense of time

• changes in mood

• impaired body movement

• difficulty with thinking and problem-solving

• impaired memory

• hallucinations (when taken in high doses)

• delusions (when taken in high doses)

• psychosis (risk is highest with regular use of high potency marijuana)

Marijuana and the Body:

• Brain: Marijuana use can impair thinking, memory, and learning functions and affect how the brain builds connections between the areas necessary for these functions.

• Lungs: Marijuana smoke irritates the lungs, and people who smoke marijuana frequently can have the same breathing problems as those who smoke tobacco. These problems include daily cough and phlegm, more frequent lung illness, and a higher risk of lung infections.

• Heart: Marijuana raises heart rate for up to 3 hours after smoking. This effect may increase the chance of heart attack. Older people and those with heart problems may be at higher risk.

• Mental Health: Long-term marijuana use has been linked to mental illness in some people, such as:

  • temporary hallucinations

  • temporary paranoia

  • worsening symptoms in patients with schizophrenia—a severe mental disorder with symptoms such as hallucinations, paranoia, and disorganized thinking

Marijuana use has also been linked to other mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts among teens.

(NIDA)

Signs of Marijuana Use:

The short-term effects of marijuana use are also signs of recent use. The following are some common physical side effects associated with marijuana use:

• Panic

• Anxiety

• Poor muscle and limb coordination

• Delayed reaction times and abilities

• An initial liveliness

• Increased heart rate

• Distorted senses

• Red eyes

Signs of Addiction:

Contrary to many reports, marijuana is an addictive drug. Signs of abuse relate to the psychological, physical, and behavioral changes in the person who is abusing marijuana. The following are some of the most commonly observed signs:

• Red eyes

• Eating or excessive eating outside of regular meal or snack times

• Diminished performance in school, at work, and/or in meeting responsibilities at home

• Withdrawing from friends, family, coworkers, and/or classmates

• Spending time with people who use marijuana or other drugs

• Buying certain products, such as bongs and rolling papers, in order to smoke marijuana

• Doing online research on different types of marijuana and highs (e.g., waxes, tinctures, edibles, etc.)

• Using slang terms for marijuana, such as weed, pot, bud, trees, cannabis, kush, and mota

Research shows that approximately 30% of individuals who abuse marijuana have a problematic relationship with it.

When the marijuana abuse stops, or the familiar amount is reduced, a person may notice signs of withdrawal, including difficulty sleeping, nightmares, appearing and/or sounding depressed, and/or demonstrating an urge to use marijuana again.

• National Institute on Drug Abuse

• Your Life Iowa

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

• Prevention to End Addiction

Trends

With the increasing demand for marijuana and new laws implemented, Marijuana edibles have been introduced nationwide. Marijuana edibles can take any shape or form and usually resemble popular sweets consumed by all ages. These edible resemble sweets like brownies, mints, gummies, cakes, cereals, bars, ice cream, chocolates and so much more. To learn more about these edibles and their effects visit https://drugabuse.com/joints-vs-edibles-how-marijuana-effects-the-body/ and https://www.justthinktwice.gov/article/drug-alert-marijuana-edibles .